Shelving standards and assemblies

ABSTRACT

Described are preferred shelf standards adapted to be installed on wall-forming studs in unfinished areas such as garages, basements and attics. The standards are simple and inexpensive to manufacture and can be easily installed with common hand tools. In combination with shelving members the standards transform wasted space into useful shelves for storing a variety of items. Adapted with an additional bracing means for preventing side-to-side motion, the shelf standards can also be attached to a finished wall surface. Different embodiments of the standards in combination with optional shelving members, fasteners, and the like can be included in a variety of shelf standard kits.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to novel shelf standards adaptedto fit on a vertical edge of wall-forming studs in buildings where thestuds are exposed.

BACKGROUND

Coupled with one or more shelving members the standards transform thespace between the wall-forming studs in unfinished attics, basements,garages, closets or other locations into shelving units providing usefulstorage space. Although designed primarily for use between wall-formingstuds the novel standards can be adapted for installation onto the flatsurfaces of finished walls. The novel shelf standards are simple inconstruction, inexpensive to manufacture and are easily installed by oneperson using simple hand tools.

SUMMARY

Accordingly one aspect of this invention provides for novel shelfstandards for supporting one or more shelving members when installed tofit vertically on an interior edge of an exposed wall-forming stud or ona finished wall. Certain of the standards comprise a planar or generallyplanar member having a front surface, a back surface, at least fouredges, a lip connected to an edge of the planar member and directedtoward the back surface of the planar member and forming a right anglewith the planar member. A plurality of flanges, sized and positioned toreceive and retain one or more shelving members, extend from the frontsurface of the planar member. The standard's backside is generallyshaped to conform to a front and side surface of a wall-forming stud. Indescribing a generally planar member, “generally planar” means a surfacethat is either planar or that is sufficiently planar to approximatelyconform to a planar surface. One example of a generally planar memberthat is not precisely planar has one or more grooves and/or ridgesacross its surface to increase the member's rigidity. Because of thegrooves, the surface is not precisely planar, but it can still generallyconform to a planar surface. Other shelf standards lack a lip attachedto the planar member and depend on fasteners and orifices on the planarmember for attachment to a wall stud or other surface.

A further aspect of this invention is a double shelf standard forsupporting one or more shelving members. Certain of the double standardscomprise two planar or generally planar members having a front surface,a back surface, and at least four edges connected along their frontedges with two edges of a lip intermediate between the planar members.The planar members and lip form right angles causing the standard's backside to conform to the shape of an exposed wall forming stud. Aplurality of flanges, positioned to receive and retain one or moreshelving members, extend from the front surfaces of the planar members.Certain embodiments of the double shelf standard can be advantageouslyused with certain embodiments of standard shelf standards forinstallations that span several wall-forming studs.

A further aspect of the present invention provides for shelf standardkits comprising at least two shelf standards adapted to fit along theinternal edges of adjacent exposed wall-forming studs. Certain shelfstandard kit can additionally contain one or more shelving membersadapted to be received and supported by the opposing flanges of twoshelf standards installed on opposing wall-forming studs. Certain othershelf standard kits can additionally contain fasteners such as screws,nails or tacks for attachment of a standard to a wall. Additionallycertain other shelf standard kits can also include a shelving member andone or more double standards.

Although the various embodiments of the novel standards are designedprimarily for installation onto and between wall-forming studs in anunfinished wall, installation onto a planar surface such as a finishedwall is also possible provided a means for stabilizing the standard'sside-to-side motion is added. Installation onto a finished wall canaccomplished by placing the standard's lip flush against the finishedwall, preferably over a covered wall stud, with the standard's planarsurface protruding outward from the wall. Preferred shelf standards canbe manufactured from a sheet metal using standard metalworking methods.Similarly, shelf standards can be manufactured from a variety ofpolymers by molding processes widely used to manufacture plasticarticles.

Related objects and advantages of the present invention to those alreadystated above will be apparent from the following description.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the front of a single shelf standard.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the back of a single shelf standard.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of two shelf standards attached to twowall-forming studs.

FIG. 4 is a front view of two shelf standards holding two shelvingmembers and a retaining bar; the standards attached to two wall-formingstuds.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of two shelf standards attached to twowall-forming studs holding one shelving member that extends beyond theedge of the wall-forming stud and one shelving member that extends tothe front edge of the wall-forming stud.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of two shelf standards and two shelvingmembers; the standards attached to a planar surface with a braceattached to the standard.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the brace shown with the standard in FIG.3.

FIG. 8 is front view of two shelf standards and a central doublestandard holding four shelving members and a retaining bar; the threestandards attached to three wall-forming studs.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a double standard.

FIG. 10 is a view of a kit including two shelf standards and optionalitems that can be provided including a double standard, a shelvingmember s, fasteners, a bar and a mounting plate.

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a shelf standard having removableflanges that can be inserted into the standard through a front slit.

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a shelf standard having removableflanges that can be inserted into the standard through a void from thestandard's back side.

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the front of a single shelf standard forcontact with a single surface of a wall stud, the standard having aplurality of slots to accept a plurality of flanges.

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the front of a single shelf standard forcontact with a single surface of a wall stud, the standard having aplurality of voids to accept a plurality of flanges.

DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated andspecific language will be used to describe the same. It willnevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is intended, such alterations and further modifications andsuch further applications of the principles of the invention asillustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to oneskilled in the art to which the invention relates.

One aspect of the present invention shown in the illustrated embodimentincludes a shelf standard adapted when installed to fit vertically on aninterior edge of a wall-forming stud in buildings where the studs areexposed. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of such a single shelf standard 10having lip 12 connected to side 18 of a planar member 11. The lip 12 andplanar member 11 form a right angle along side 18 to allow the standardto conform to a front and side of a wall-forming stud. Preferredstandards have a lip 12 that is about 1½ to about 2 inches wide and havea planar member 11 that is about 3½ inches wide. The length of lip 12and planar member 11 can vary depending on the number of shelves to besupported and the desired height of the shelving system. A tall shelvingunit can be constructed from one set of tall shelving standards or fromseveral shorter standards placed one above another on individualwall-forming studs. The lip 12 is sized and positioned for attachment tothe front side of a wall-forming stud. Standards can be attached to thewall-forming stud with standard means for attachment including, but notlimited to adhesives, nails, tacks and screws. Attachment with screws isfacilitated by first drilling a hole in lip 12 for each screw. Althoughnot required certain shelf standards have a plurality of apertures 23along the lip 12 to allow for the insertion of a fastener to facilitateinstallation. The flanges 20 in FIG. 1 extend from the front surface 14of planar member 11 to support the ends of a shelving member. In FIG. 1a single flange 20 extends from the planar member's front surface 14 atan approximately 90 degree angle and is positioned above void 21.However, the angle between flange 20 and the planar member's frontsurface 14 is not critical provided flange 20 protrudes from the frontsurface 12 of planar member sufficient to engage the end of a shelfmember placed thereon. Additionally, flange 20 can similarly bepositioned below void 21. Although the depth of flange 20 is notcritical, provided the flange has sufficient overlap with the end of ashelving member to provide support, preferred flanges have a depth of atleast about ¼ of an inch.

Void 21 in FIG. 1 is not required for the standard of FIG. 1 and is anartifact of the method and material employed to manufacture the standard10. For example, one method for the manufacture of the standard 10 fromsheet metal typically involves cutting or otherwise rupturing the metalalong three sides of a rectangle or other shape located on the planarmember 11 and bending the rectangular or other shape portion away fromthe planar member to provide flange 20 and void 21 proximate flange 20.A shelf standard manufactured by molding standard 10 from a rigidthermoplastic or by fixing flange 20 to the planar member's frontsurface 14 by gluing, soldering, welding or by other means can provide astandard 10 having flange 20 but lacking void 21. The manufacture ofstandard 10 from a rigid thermoplastic or other material without void 21is contemplated by applicant as an embodiment of the present invention.Similarly, the embodiments of standard 10 described above where flange20 is attached to the front surface 14 of planar member 11 by othermeans such as gluing, welding, soldering, or other means are similarlycontemplated as embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a view of the backside of the standard 10 with planarmember 11 having a back surface 15, sides 16-19, voids 21 and lip 12with apertures 23. The backside of standard 10 is sized and shaped toconform to the shape and contour of a wall-forming stud when installedthereon.

FIG. 3 shows a view of two standards 40 installed in opposing positionson two wall-forming studs 30 with fasteners 24. The standards 40 havetwo flanges 20 about a void 21, the two flanges 20 spaced to receive theend of a shelving member placed therein.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of two shelf standards 40 attached to opposingwall-forming studs with two shelving members 25 installed. The twoflanges 20 are positioned to receive each end of shelving member 25 andprevent the shelving member from movement either upward or downward.Shelving member 25 is additionally prevented from tipping and can acceptshelving members deeper than a wall-forming stud 30. Shelving member 25can be constructed of wood, a wood product, metal, one or more polymericmaterials, composites, and the like.

FIG. 4 additionally shows a bar 32 positioned proximate to a shelvingmember 25 to prevent articles placed on shelving member 25 from beingdisplaced. Although bar 32 can be held in place with separate fasteners,FIG. 4 shows a first end of bar 32 hooked over a first fastener 24related to a first standard 40 with a second end resting upon a secondfastener 24 related to a second standard 40. Preferred standards haveorifices 23 placed along lip 18 at levels slightly higher than flange 20or flanges 20 to facilitate positioning of optional bar 32.

FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of a pair of standards 40 attached toopposing wall-forming studs 30, the standards 40 molded from a rigidplastic such as polypropylene. Standards 40 illustrate a type ofstandard made by a molding process or with flanges 20 otherwise bondedto front surface 14 of a standard 40 lack voids 21. The pairs of flanges20 in FIG. 5 additionally nearly bridge the distance between edges 16and 18 of the standard's front. Flanges 20 shown in FIG. 5 are shownsupporting a standard shelf member 25 and the deeper shelf member 26that extends out beyond the wall forming studs. Pairs of flanges 20 asshown in FIG. 5 are preferred for supporting and stabilizing the deepershelf members 26 against tipping. Optional screws 28 further secureshelving members 25 and 26.

FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of two shelf standards 10 installed on aplanar wall surface and held in place with fasteners 24. The standardsin FIG. 6 are stabilized against flexing from side to side by fixingshelving member 25 to flange 20 with fastener 31 inserted throughaperture 29 and with brace 45 (See FIG. 7). Pins are preferred fasteners31 for shelving members made of a polymeric material, but otherfasteners including, but not limited to, machine screws, pins, rivets,bolt and nut combinations may also be used. Although brace 45 (See FIG.7) can have any shape that will prevent side to side movement ofstandard 10, a preferred brace 45 comprises a generally L-shapedstructure sized to fit along lip 12 and the back surface 15 of planarmember 11. The brace can be fixed to standard 10 with an adhesive orwith fasteners such as screws, bolts, rivets and other fastening means.Preferred fasteners 55 include rivets and nut and bolt combinations. Abrace 45 installed at the top and bottom of a standard attached to aplanar surface is generally preferred with fastener 24 used to attachboth brace 45 and standard 10 to a planar surface. Preferred brace 45 isconstructed of a rigid metal having a sufficient thickness to resistflexing when installed on standard 10.

Optional mounting plate 60 shown in FIG. 6 can be mounted behind astandard between lip 12 and a wall's surface to minimize the formationof indentations on the drywall along the edges of lip 12. The dimensionsof mounting plate 60 are not critical provided its width and height areat least slightly greater than the width and height of lip 12. Preferredmounting plate 60 is made of metal or a rigid plastic that is capable ofdistributing any forces created by the standard 10 over an area greaterthan the surface area of lip 12. In preferred embodiments, the apertures63 in mounting plate 60 and the apertures 23 in the standard shouldoverlap to facilitate installation.

FIG. 7 shows an L-shaped brace 45 having apertures 29 positioned tomatch aperture 23 on lip 12 (See FIG. 6) and apertures 56 located on theplanar member 11 of standard 10.

FIG. 8 shows a front view of two shelf standards 40 and a double shelfstandard 41 attached to opposing wall-forming studs with four shelvingmembers 25 installed. The two flanges 20 in FIG. 8 are positioned toreceive each end of shelving member 25 and prevent the shelving memberfrom movement either upward or downward. Shelving member 25 isadditionally prevented from tipping and can accept shelving membersdeeper than a wall-forming stud 30.

FIG. 9 shows an isometric view of one front of double standard 41,comprising two planar or generally planar members 11, each planar memberhaving a front surface 14, a back surface 15, and at least four edges16-19; a lip 12 intermediate front edges 18 of the two planar members;and a plurality of flanges 20 extending from the front surface 14 ofeach planar member 11, the flanges 20 positioned to receive and retainone or more shelving members. The double standard 41 is particularlyuseful where shelving is to be installed between several adjacentwall-forming studs. Optionally, two shelf standards 40 can be used inplace of a single double standard 41.

FIG. 10 shows a shelf standard kit comprising two shelf standards 10with optional members including shelving members 25, a double standard41, fasteners 24, bar 32 and backing plates 60.

FIG. 11 shows a shelf standard 70 having flanges 60 that can be insertedinto void 22 through slit 50. Flanges 60 can be inserted or removed toprovide a desired shelving configuration without removal of shelfstandard 70 from a stud or other installation site. Removal of flanges60 not used to support shelving members can improve the unit'sappearance and prevent injury through unwanted contact with the edge ofa flange. Additionally flange 60 can have only a single lip and be sizedto fit into a narrow void 22.

FIG. 12 shows a shelf standard 75 having flanges 65 that can be insertedinto void 21 before standard 75 is installed on a stud. As with shelfstandard 70 (FIG. 11), the flanges in standard 75 can be inserted orremoved to provide a desired shelving configuration, but unlike standard70 (FIG. 11) flange 65 are be inserted either before standard 75 isinstalled or after it has been removed from a stud or similar surface.

FIG. 13 shows shelf standard 80 having flanges 60 that can be inserteddirectly into void 22 causing flanges 60 to extend from front surface14. Standard 80 lacks a lip for attachment, but has apertures 23 on thegenerally planar member 13 for attachment to the side of a wall stud orsimilar surface with fasteners 24. Flanges 60 can be installed before orafter standard 80 has been installed onto the side of a stud or similarsurface. The flanges in FIG. 13, like those illustrated in FIG. 11, canhave a single lip and be sized to fit into a narrow void 21.

FIG. 14 shows shelf standard 85 having flanges 65 that can be insertedinto void 21 from the back side 15 of generally planar member 13 beforestandard 85 is installed on the side of a wall stud or similar surfacewith fasteners 24. Like standard 75 (FIG. 12), flanges 65 can beinserted to provide a desired shelving configuration and like standard75, the installation or removal of flanges 65 are be carried out eitherbefore standard 85 is installed or after it has been removed from a studor similar surface. One skilled in the art will understand thatremovable flanges 60 and 65, of a type shown in FIGS. 11 through 14 canbe constructed using the same methods and materials used to create thefixed flanges illustrated in FIGS. 1-10. Additionally, it will beunderstood that flanges having one or two flanges can generally be usedinterchangeably for most applications utilizing removable flanges andfor flanges having a single lip, both the thickness of a flange and thevoids for receiving the flange can be varied.

While applicant's invention has been described in detail above withreference to specific embodiments, it will be understood thatmodifications and alterations in the embodiments disclosed may be madeby those practiced in the art without departing from the spirit andscope of he invention. All such modifications and alterations areintended to be covered.

1. A shelf standard for supporting one or more shelving memberscomprising a generally planar member having a front surface, a backsurface, at least four edges, a lip connected to an edge of the planarmember and directed toward the back surface of the planar member andforming a right angle with the planar member; and a plurality of flangesextending from the front surface of the planar member, the flanges sizedand positioned to receive and retain one or more shelving members. 2.The shelf standard of claim 1, wherein the shelf standard is adapted,when installed, to fit vertically on an interior edge of an exposedwall-forming stud.
 3. The shelf standard of claim 2, wherein thestandard is constructed of metal and the flanges are formed from thesurface of the planar member leaving a void proximate each flange. 4.The shelf standard of claim 3, wherein the lip has a plurality oforifices sized and positioned to receive fasteners suitable forconnecting the standard to the wall-forming stud.
 5. The shelf standardof claim 4, wherein the lip has a width of less than about 2 inches. 6.The shelf standard of claim 5, wherein the flanges have a depth of atleast about ¼ of an inch.
 7. The shelf standard of claim 6, wherein theflanges are positioned in pairs to receive an upper and lower surface ofone or more shelving members.
 8. The shelf standard of claim 2, whereina void is positioned between pairs of flanges.
 9. The shelf standard ofclaim 8, wherein the flanges are inserted into the planar surfacethrough the void.
 10. The shelf standard of claim 9, having a slitlocated in the lip, wherein the slit is in communication with the voidand positioned to receive the flange and facilitate its insertion intothe void.
 11. A double shelf standard for supporting one or moreshelving members, the standard comprising two generally planar members,the planar members having a front surface, a back surface, and at leastfour edges; a lip intermediate between two edges of the planar membersforming a right angle with the planar members; and a plurality offlanges extending from the front surface of the planar members, theflanges positioned to receive and retain one or more shelving members,the double shelf standard adapted, when installed, to fit vertically onan interior edge of an exposed wall-forming stud.
 12. The doublestandard of claim 11, wherein the lip has a width of less than about 2inches and has a plurality of orifices sized and positioned to receivefasteners suitable for connecting the double standard to a wall-formingstud.
 13. The double standard of claim 12, wherein the flanges have adepth of at least about ¼ of an inch.
 14. The double shelf standard ofclaim 13, wherein the flanges are positioned in pairs to receive anupper and lower surface of one or more shelving members.
 15. A shelfstandard kit comprising at least two of the shelf standards of claims 1adapted to fit along the internal edges of adjacent exposed wall-formingstuds.
 16. The shelf standard kit of claim 15, wherein the kitadditionally includes at least one shelf member adapted to be receivedand supported by opposing flanges of two shelf standards installed onopposing wall-forming studs.
 17. The shelf standard kit of claim 15,wherein the kit additionally includes a plurality of fasteners to attachthe standards to the surface of a wall forming stud.
 18. The shelfstandard kit of claim 15, wherein the kit additionally includes a bracethat can be attached to the lip of the standard and contact the adjacentgenerally planar member to maintain an angle of 90 degrees between thelip and generally planar member to allow for installation of the shelfstandard on a surface wall.
 19. The shelf standard kit of claim 16,wherein the kit additionally includes a bar adapted to connect the lipsof adjacent standards to secure stored items to the surface of the shelfmember.
 20. The shelf standard kit of claim 15, wherein the kitadditionally includes at least one double standard.
 21. The shelfstandard kit of claim 15, wherein the kit additionally includes amounting plate adapted to fit behind the standard's lip for mounting thestandard on a flat surface.
 22. A shelf standard for supporting one ormore shelving members comprising a generally planar member having afront surface, a back surface, a plurality of voids and a plurality offlanges, the flanges adapted to be positioned within the voids toreceive and retain one or more shelving members and the voids located onthe generally planar member to position the one or more shelvingmembers.
 23. The shelf standard of claim 22, wherein the generallyplanar member has a plurality of orifices sized and positioned toreceive fasteners suitable for connecting the standard to a wall-formingstud.
 24. The shelf standard of claim 22, wherein the void is a slot,the slot having an opening at a first edge of the planar member and theflange is adapted to be positioned within the slot from the first edgeof the planar member.